by Chuck Berry’s Lasting Impact on Rod Stewart
Chuck Berry, widely considered one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, left an indelible mark on the genre and countless artists who followed in his footsteps. Among those most significantly influenced by Berry’s pioneering style was British rocker Rod Stewart. Over the course of his legendary career spanning six decades, Stewart incorporated key elements of Berry’s signature sound and showmanship into his own music and performances. While Stewart developed his own unique artistry over time, Berry’s influence on his early work and musical identity remains undeniable.
Early Exposure and Inspiration
Rod Stewart was just a teenager in the late 1950s and early 1960s when Chuck Berry was in his prime, releasing hit after hit that helped define the emerging sound of rock and roll. In interviews over the years, Stewart has readily acknowledged Berry’s profound impact on his musical journey. “Chuck Berry was a giant, he was the guy who started it all,” Stewart told Billboard in 2017. “He was probably my biggest influence.”
One of Stewart’s earliest and most formative musical memories was purchasing Berry’s iconic live album “Live at the Tivoli” in 1964, when he was just 19 years old. “That was the first album I ever bought,” Stewart recalled. “I wore that record out.” The energy, showmanship, and musicianship Berry displayed on that album left a lasting impression on the young Stewart.
Beyond that one album, Stewart voraciously consumed Berry’s extensive catalog of hits throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Songs like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Carol,” “Too Much Monkey Business,” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” perfectly blended blues, R&B, and country influences into the new genre of rock and roll. Berry’s lyrical storytelling and guitar skills inspired Stewart and helped shape his musical tastes at a pivotal time in his development as an artist.
Incorporating Berry’s Signature Sound
While Rod Stewart developed his own soulful rock style as his career progressed, his early solo work and time fronting the Faces was steeped in the foundations laid by Chuck Berry. Stewart explored similar themes of teenage life, cars, and youthful rebellion. He incorporated Berry’s signature guitar riffs and rhythmic drive into catchy rockers like “Maggie May” and “You Wear It Well.”
Stewart also covered several Chuck Berry classics over the years as a way to pay homage to his influence. His lively rendition of “Sweet Little Rock and Roller” on his 1973 album “Sing It Again Rod” stayed true to Berry’s original while adding Stewart’s raspy vocals. He also performed the song regularly in his concerts. Other Berry covers in Stewart’s catalog include “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” and “Nadine.”
Beyond specific songs, Rod Stewart embraced Chuck Berry’s overall musical aesthetic – a fusion of blues, country, and R&B into rock music with memorable lyrics and guitar work. This approach became a hallmark of Stewart’s early solo albums and work with the Faces. Tracks like “Stay With Me” and “Twistin’ the Night Away” from his debut exhibited Berry’s DNA while developing Stewart’s soulful rock style. His bluesy vocals were a perfect match for Berry’s storytelling lyrics and musicianship.
Mastering Showmanship
In addition to his profound musical influence, Chuck Berry left an indelible mark on Rod Stewart’s showmanship and stage presence. Berry was a captivating live performer, known for his energetic dancing, guitar skills, and ability to command an audience’s attention. His famous “duck walk” became synonymous with his high-energy performances.
Stewart studied Berry’s showmanship closely and incorporated many of the same techniques into his own live shows. Like Berry, Stewart connected with crowds through dynamic vocals, animated dancing, and high-octane guitar playing. He brought an electric charisma and swagger to performances that kept audiences enthralled. Songs like “Hot Legs” and “You’re In My Heart (The Final Acclaim)” demonstrated Stewart’s mastery of captivating audiences through raw talent and stage charisma.
Over the decades, Rod Stewart’s live concerts became legendary events, selling out massive arenas and stadiums worldwide. His high-energy performances undoubtedly drew inspiration from Chuck Berry’s model of interactive shows that were as much visual spectacles as aural experiences. Both artists understood the importance of engaging audiences through dynamic musicianship and captivating personalities.
Later Career Developments
While Chuck Berry’s influence provided the foundation for Rod Stewart’s early solo work and time with the Faces, his style continued evolving over the ensuing decades. Incorporating elements of soul, pop, and Americana, Stewart crafted hit albums in the 1970s like “A Night on the Town” and “Atlantic Crossing” that demonstrated his growth and maturity as an artist.
However, the DNA of Chuck Berry – the rhythmic drive, lyrical storytelling, and showmanship – remained integral parts of Stewart’s musical identity. Even as he delved into different genres, those core rock and roll elements endured. His ability to seamlessly blend styles while staying true to his roots echoed Berry’s genre-bending approach.
In his later career resurgence starting in the 1980s, Rod Stewart returned to a more roots-oriented rock sound on albums like “Out of Order” and “Vagabond Heart.” The influence of Chuck Berry was more apparent than ever, from the bluesy guitar riffs to Stewart’s raspy vocals telling tales of love and heartbreak. While his music matured, at its core it still tapped into the same rock and roll spirit instilled by one of the founding fathers.
Lasting Legacy
The profound impact of Chuck Berry on Rod Stewart’s career and musical identity cannot be overstated. From his earliest days of fandom through six decades as a successful artist, Stewart continually embraced the rock and roll foundations laid by Berry. He incorporated key elements of Berry’s signature sound, lyrical style, and showmanship techniques into his own work.
Even as Stewart’s artistry evolved to incorporate diverse genres, the DNA of Chuck Berry endured. His ability to seamlessly blend styles while staying true to his roots echoed Berry’s pioneering approach. Most importantly, Stewart understood Berry’s significance as one of the true architects of rock and roll. His heartfelt tributes and willingness to cover Berry’s classics demonstrated the deep reverence and respect he held for his major influence.
The legacy of Chuck Berry’s groundbreaking musicianship continues resonating through the work of artists like Rod Stewart, who took those initial sparks and fueled their own careers with its energy and soul. Over successive generations, Berry’s influence remains an integral part of the history and evolution of rock and roll.
